Division III Week Student Spotlight – April Reese
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the ninth-year event.
Division III Week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, 18 student-athletes will be featured this week. April Reese, Logan Tucker and Reilly Feeney are today's featured student-athletes.
By Brittany Greene
Sports Information Assistant
Name: April Reese
Year: Senior
Hometown: Starkville, Miss.
Major: Exercise Science / Occupational Therapy
Sport: Volleyball / Beach Volleyball
Athletic Accomplishments: Reese was a three-year player in volleyball and beach volleyball. She played in 108 indoor volleyball matches during her career and recorded 774 kills, 797 digs and 143 blocks. Since 2008, when the NCAA went to the current 25-point scoring format, she ranks sixth in program history in kills and is in the top-10 in digs and blocks. As a senior, she was named second-team West Division by the USA South Athletic Conference and helped the Hawks post a 23-15 record and reach the USA South Tournament semifinals for the first time. The 23 wins were the most for the program since at least 2006. In beach volleyball, Reese joined the program during its second season of competition and was part of 12 of the first 14 wins in program history. During her shortened senior season, the fourth-year program reached five wins in its first 11 matches to set a new program record for wins in a season.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Reese has been involved in the Angel Tree Project, the USA South Athletic Conference's Cans Across the Conference food drive and the Rise for Hunger food drive.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "I transferred to Huntingdon my sophomore year of college. After my visits, the people I met here really made me feel comfortable. Everyone was so caring and helpful and everyone was so friendly."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "Division III feels like one of the most balanced divisions. With academic scholarships and the seasons, I am still able to be involved in other activities and even hold a part-time job. The balance of Division III allows students to have a full college experience."
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world we live in, what have you learned about the compassion and resiliency of your friends, family and classmates? "I think everyone is a lot stronger than they may have thought. Everyone is adapting to life as it's changing on a daily basis. But everyone is rolling with the punches and adjusting their plans to make sure that they can still be successful after all of this."
If you could offer one piece of encouragement at this time to your friends, family and classmates, what would it be? "Relax. At this point, everyone is dealing with new situations and nobody really knows how to navigate in this. We are all lost together, so there's no need to stress about anything. Nobody knows what they're doing right now and that's OK."
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "As Class of 2020, I have to tell them to enjoy every moment and memory. Time goes fast, and it goes even faster when most of your senior year has been canceled. So take the time to make memories and don't rush anything."
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "Through Huntingdon, I will earn a degree that will take me one step further to the career I have discovered to be my dream. Along with the lasting friendships that I have made, I am excited to see what's next."